Sexual assault policies not good enough

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Recent investigations into sexual harassment and assault at universities and residential colleges found that half of university students reported that they were sexually harassed in 2016.

“There have been numerous calls for the establishment of an independent taskforce on sexual assault and harassment to hold universities and residential colleges to account,” said Finlay Nolan, Curtin Guild President.

“The current Minister for Education Dan Tehan has put these plans on hold and ignored the wishes of vulnerable students and survivors,” she said.

The Human Rights Commission’s Report found that only 13 per cent of campus sexual assaults are reported to universities. Australian advocacy group End Rape of Campus released a report that claimed 500 official complaints of sexual assault had been made to universities in the past five years, but only six people were expelled as a result.

The Guild’s “We Will Not Be Left Behind” campaign calls for a national taskforce into sexual assault and harassment on university campuses to be established.

“Students should demand that any party who wants their vote in this election should stand up against sexual violence and harassment and provide clear policies to ensure student safety both on and off-campus,” said Ms Nolan.